Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-01-11
A BOLD GAME.
Played by the Indiana
Republicans.
THEY CAPTURE THE ASSEMBLY
And Count in Their Lieutenant
GOvernOr-The Democrats
Protest and Resist.

Special to the Herald bu the Associated Pressl
INDIANAPoLIs, January lO.-The hall
ways and corridors of the capitol were
thronged by an immense crowd d of people
anxious to witness possible developments
in the political struggle now in progress.
All interest was centered in the House,
where the galleries were densely packed.
Directly after prayer the door-keeper
stepped to the front of the Speakers
chair and announced the presence of the
Senate, consisting of nineteen Repub.
lican members of that body. Killison,
Democrat, arose and called "Mr. Speak
err" but was not recognized. Speaker
Sayre Immediately announced that the
business Of the convention was to can.
vass the vote for Lieutenant-Governor.
Other Democratic members also claimed
the Speakers attention, but all were re-
fused recognition. The reading of the
returns consumed half an hour and at
its close, while the Clerk was
making his computations, Jewett dem
ocrat) addressed the Speaker, but was
told nothing would be in order until the
canvass was completed. Robertson was
then declared elected by q majority of
1923 votes. He was sworn in by JUS
tice of the Superior Court. Robertson
at once took the gavel and proceeded to
read his address. The Democrats
assembled to be heard, and Jewett
(Dem.l exclaimed, "Mr. Speaker, we do
not recognize the legality of this joint
convention" pointing to Republican
Senators, "when there is no representa-
tion of the Senate except the fag end of
that body. We protest against the
usurpation of power, this disorganiza-
tion and overturniDg of precedent and
law" At the conclusion of Robertson's s
address he declared the joint convention
adjourned. to reassemble in the same
hall on Wednesday, the 10Th, to vote
for a United States Senator. Speaker
Sayre then took possession of the gavel
and on motion of Gardner the House
adjourned.
When the House reassembled Jewett,
Democrat. offered resolution reciting
the fact of the action for Lieutenant.
Governor, canvassing the vote, etc.,
admitting all points except the one as to
whether there was vacancy in the Of
fee of Lieutenant. Governor and inviting
Mr.. Robertson to seek . solution
through the courts. The debate on these
resolutions occupied large part of the
afternoon and they were finally rejected,
the Republican speakers maintaining
that the General Assembly was the
only tribunal competent to settle
the matter. The only additional
feature of interest in the afternoon pro.
ceedings was the filing of contest in the
case Of Engelhart against Mackey.
Downing against Beasley and Dickinson
against Meagher. These were referred
to the Committee on Elections. The
first of the contests is that of Demo.
against Republican. The others are
Republicans against Democrats. There
have been but few developments to-
night, both sides carefully keeping their
own counsel. and it is difficult to ascer-
tain what is anticipated for tomorrow.
The Senate assemblies at 10 o'clock and it
is understood tonight, though it cannot
be stated as an assured fact, that Mr.. Rob-
ertson will be refused admittance to the
chamber. Another rumor is that no
opposition appears on the floor Of the
Senate, but that any attempt on his
part to take his seat as presiding officer
Of the body will be resisted. 1t is said
that Mr.. Robertson does not anticipate
resorting to force, that he considers his
legal status as Lieutenant-Governor
fully established by to.day's proceedings
and will quietly await solution of the
nroblem.